St. Stephen's Martyrdom Quiz

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Questions and Answers

According to the passage, what was the main question concerning Gentile converts to Christianity?

Whether they needed to follow the Jewish dietary laws

Whether they needed to undergo circumcision

Whether they needed to observe the Mosaic Law

All of the above (correct)

How did St. Paul differ from most of the other Apostles?

He was a former Pharisee and well-educated in the Jewish Law (correct)

He wrote the Gospels before the other Apostles

He was not martyred like the other Apostles

He was not a fisherman like St. Peter

What was the Council of Jerusalem's decision regarding Gentile converts?

They had to undergo circumcision and follow the Mosaic Law

They were free from the requirements of the Mosaic Law (correct)

They had to follow only the dietary laws of the Mosaic Law

They had to be baptized as Jews before becoming Christians

Why did St. Paul travel to Jerusalem regarding the issue of Gentile converts?

To confer with St. Peter and the other Apostles Signup and view all the answers

What was Saul's (St. Paul's) relationship with the early Christian community before his conversion?

He was a persecutor of Christians Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, what were the Epistles in relation to the Gospels?

The passage does not provide information about this Signup and view all the answers

What did St. Stephen claim to see before his martyrdom?

Christ at God's right hand Signup and view all the answers

What did Saul initially do to the early Christians?

Arrested and imprisoned them Signup and view all the answers

What is the Greek meaning of the word 'martyr'?

Witness Signup and view all the answers

Why did Saul persecute the early Christians?

He saw them as a dangerous threat to Judaism Signup and view all the answers

How did Saul's conversion to Christianity occur?

Christ appeared to him on the road to Damascus Signup and view all the answers

After his conversion, to whom did St. Paul (formerly Saul) proclaim Christ?

To the Gentiles Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary stumbling block for the spread of Christianity among Jews?

The prohibition on dealings with Gentiles Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of St. Paul's Epistles in the New Testament?

They provide invaluable historical references to early Church life Signup and view all the answers

How did St. Paul obey Christ's Great Commission to make disciples of all nations?

His missionary journeys covered over 10,000 miles across the Mediterranean world Signup and view all the answers

What event led St. Peter to understand that the Church should be open to Gentiles?

His encounter with Cornelius and their shared vision Signup and view all the answers

What was Saul's experience on the road to Damascus?

He was struck blind and had a vision of Jesus Signup and view all the answers

How much time did St. Paul spend in prison for preaching the Christian faith?

More than four years in various prisons Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Apostles

St. Paul suffered greatly as an Apostle, facing travel hardships, enemy persecution, and ultimately, death by beheading.

Gentile Converts and the Mosaic Law

The Council of Jerusalem, led by St. Peter, decided that Gentile converts were free from the requirements of the Mosaic Law.
St. Paul traveled to Jerusalem to confer with St. Peter and the other Apostles, convinced that Gentile converts did not need to follow the Mosaic Law.

St. Paul's Background

As a Pharisee, St. Paul was well-educated in Jewish Law and Sacred Scripture (the Old Testament).

The Fate of the Apostles

All the Apostles except St. John were martyred.
St. Paul was not crucified, but beheaded.

St. Stephen

St. Stephen was ordained as a deacon and performed wonders, but was arrested, preached a sermon criticizing Jewish ingratitude, and was stoned to death for blasphemy.
He imitated Christ in his last moments by asking God to forgive his executioners.

Martyrdom and Christianity

Martyrdom is bearing supreme witness to the truth of the Faith, even to the point of death.
Christianity shares with Judaism the belief that some things God asks are absolute, requiring people to die rather than deny them.

Saul (St. Paul) Before Conversion

Saul arrested and imprisoned the earliest Christians, seeing Christianity as a threat to the Jewish faith.

St. Paul's Conversion

Christ appeared to Saul on his way to Damascus, asking, "Why are you persecuting me?"
Saul was blinded, recovered his sight three days later, and was baptized, becoming St. Paul.

The Early Christian Community

Early Christians understood themselves as Jews, incorporating new practices into their Jewish lifestyle.
Two significant changes were praying to Jesus Christ as God and celebrating the Lord's Supper.

St. Paul's Epistles

Most of St. Paul's Epistles were written in the 50s, before the Gospels, making them the earliest writings in the New Testament.
They are profoundly theological and invaluable historical references to early Church life.

St. Paul's Missionary Journeys

St. Paul obeyed Christ's Great Commission, covering over 10,000 miles and reaching many Mediterranean peoples, possibly as far as Spain.

St. Peter and the Gentiles

St. Peter resolved the issue of Gentile converts through his and Cornelius' visions, understanding that God shows no partiality, and opening the Church to the Gentiles.

St. Paul's Imprisonment

St. Paul spent more than four years in prison, divided between Caesarea, Rome, Philippi, and Jerusalem.

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Description

Test your knowledge on St. Stephen's martyrdom, his imitation of Christ, and the persecution of the Church in Jerusalem. Learn about how Stephen asked for forgiveness for those who stoned him and what martyrdom means.